The woman in the painting called The Grace of the Fountain was indeed beautiful, however Grant didn't feel any sort of surge nor did he feel like he clicked with the artwork itself. The darker colors made the work softer on the eyes and Grant had to admit he was thoroughly impressed by the prowess of the creator. The attention to detail was such that the woman appeared incredibly realistic, almost photo realistic. He could see why someone could fall in love with the woman but still not to the degree that Franklin had.

"She is pretty," said Grant to Sophia. "I mean she'd catch my eye if I passed on her on the street but to go so far..."

"Franklin wants to marry the painting," said Sophia. "It's almost like he's trying to delude himself into thinking that he could somehow breath life into her."

"What do you know about this piece of art?"

"Painted in 1882 by an English born Italian named Aldo Ricci. The painting attracted a fair amount of attention from the public, many praising his attention to detail. It is unknown if the painting is a portrait of a woman or simply a product of his imagination. The painting was sold for a decent sum and has been in the possession of many owners. Aldo Ricci moved to America in 1905 and died of natural causes in 1910. This was one of his last pieces."

"So what does Franklin do during the day then? Does he just sit here or in his room admiring the woman?"

"He comes down to the library occasionally. We put it down here in order to lure him out of his room. My father has jokingly said that we should carry the copy around with us when we go outside so that Franklin will follow us."

"Ouch. Does Franklin speak to the painting?"

Sophia looked around to make sure no one was within earshot before whispering. "Grant I haven't actually walked in on him yet but I think he...you know, in front of his computer when he looks at her. There are tissues in his trash can."

"I see," said Grant, swallowing hard. "I'm so sorry Sophia."

"Yeah it's that bad. Look I'm going to help my mom with setting up dinner. Feel free to ask if you have any more questions."

Grant studied the painting for a little while longer after Sophia left. After he thought he had achieved a satisfying understand of the artwork he decided to venture up to Franklin's room.

Grant knocked on the door hard an firm. "Franklin it's me Grant you cousin! Don't be a stranger come out so we can catch up!"

"Grant?" said a weak voice from within. "Oh yeah it's good to see you."

"Franklin the door is closed how could you say that its good to see me?"

"Oh yeah sorry just give me a moment."

After five painfully long minutes, Franklin finally opened the door. His brown hair was unkempt and looked shiny from the grease that had no doubt built up. His skin was pale and dry and his clothing plain. A white t-shirt with loose sweat pants. Orange crusty discharge rested around his tired looking eyes, which was hard to ignore.

"Hello Franklin," said Grant. "You look like a vampire."

"Yeah I guess," said Franklin awkwardly, as if unaccustomed to moving his mouth to speak. "Did you need something?"

"Come on cousin don't give me the cold shoulder," said Grant. "Aren't you going to invite me in? I'd love to see your room. Sophia's was generic."

"Yeah I guess," said Franklin hesitantly. "Uh, come in I guess. I don't have any snacks for you."

The whole room was a lot neater than Grant had expected. No clothing strewn around and the bed made neatly. There was however the stench of sweat and and the feeling that microbes had been incubating in the stuffy heat of the room. On the walls were various reproductions of the painting Grant had been hearing so much about. Thick hardcover books on art could be soon on the bookshelf and on the bed. The surface of Franklin's desk was the messiest part of the room. Loose papers were strewn about and a plate that was stained with sauce from what Grant assumed was last night's dinner sat near the edge. Two cans of energy drinks were placed in front of the keyboard. Grant winced when his eyes passed over the bottle of lotion and box of tissues. It was a shame that such an expensive looking desktop computer had to sit on such a mess of a work place.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

"Sophia tells me you've become quite the art connoisseur," said Grant cheerfully.

"Yeah I guess," said Franklin, scratching his head. Dandruff flanks drifted onto the floor. "I'm a fan of this one in particular." He pointed to his desktop background, which was a photo of a reproduction.

"Yeah what do you like about it? I mean the attention to detail is amazing!"

"This painting is quite obscure to most people but it is in my opinion the greatest masterpiece in the world of art. Ricci captured a sort of innocent beauty that just...." The words hung on Franklin's tongue, Grant could literally see him struggling on an emotional level to do justice to the painting but words had clearly failed him.

"Hey I get it," said Grant. "It's hard to put into words."

"Yeah," said Franklin with a sigh. "Don't you think she's wonderful?"

"She is very pretty," said Grant. "What sets her apart from girls you see in life?"

"Girls these days are so fake," said Franklin bitterly. "They have this sort of expression like their all that. Its like they are entitled to something. But this girl has this genuine look to her. I can just tell she is a nice person and I mean someone who is truly kind you know? She only has one breast exposed which is interesting since nudity in artworks usually seems binary. You either show it all or little to nothing. She is shy you see, she wants to be free and expressive but only has the courage to bare one breast. Its like the covered breast represents the one foot she has in her introverted side and the other one foot outside of it. Gah! It's so hard to put into words."

"You really like her huh?"

"I love her," said Franklin, he seemed on the verge of tears. "But the original was lost. I only have copies but no matter how faithful they are its just not the same. A brush stroke has to be out of place even if you can't notice it. A speck of color that doesn't belong. It's like twins you know? They might look exactly alike but they are at the end of the day different people."

"I understand," said Grant steadily, trying to take it all in. "Look I don't want to embarrass you but you can talk to me about these things. We're both guys after all."

Franklin breathed in. "Yeah we're both guys I guess. You'd understand right? Have you ever crushed on a girl?"

"A few," Grant admitted. "I actually got out of a relationship recently. Parted on good terms but I will miss her for sure."

Franklin's eyes lit up for a moment and Grant kept himself from smiling. He had established a connection.

"So you know what it's like to lose a woman I guess," said Franklin. "God that sounded so cheesy."

Grant laughed. "Hey it's ok your saying it like it is. What is said here stays here. It was good times with my girlfriend. We got sexual often."

"I never got that far," said Franklin. "I was always shy in school. Never even kissed a girl."

"Well you can forget about those days in singleness misery," said Grant, putting a hand on Franklin's shoulder. "Your sister has requested that I help you obtain this painting you like so much."

Franklin's eyes got wide. "Your serious?"

"Very much so. I'm the guy who found the Taiping treasure remember? This is right up my alley."

"Wow I don't know what to say," said Franklin. "Thanks Grant."

"In return why don't you join us for dinner tonight ok?"

Franklin's smile vanished and Grant feared the worst, bracing himself for an outburst.

"Ok I guess I could do that," said Franklin. "Sometimes even couple have to see their own immediate families right? Keep in touch."

"Yeah exactly," said Grant. "Girls need a break too. I'm sure your lady has people she wants to see. Not other guys of course.

"Right," said Franklin nervously as Grant slowly led him out of the room. "I mean we are committed to one another after all. We are engaged."

Grant talked Franklin into taking a shower, after which they took a walk around the mansion grounds and swam in the pool for a bit.

"Wow you got some serious muscle Grant," said Franklin as they dried off. "I haven't got much exercise in years."

"My grandfather talked me into it," said Grant. "He was like my personal trainer when I was a kid. Setup some great lifestyle habits for me. You know if you got into shape I bet your fiance would never be able to take her eyes of of you."

"You think so?"

"I know so."

"Well I could use a trainer."

"I could get you started while I'm here but you should have your dad hire you a professional."

"I guess Sophia could help me too. She's always been the more sporty sibling. Loads of guys have hit on her. You know she used to obsess over you. It was only for a year after we saw each other at that wedding but it was funny to watch."

"Yeah she told me," said Grant. "Though she said it was only for a week."

"Heck no," said Franklin. "She saved a picture of you on her computer too."

"Let's deal with your love live first before we get to her. We men gotta work together."

Franklin nodded and sat down on a bench. "You know I've missed you Grant. Your my favorite cousin."

Grant grinned. "You and me both man."